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March 1, 2019: 1 Chronicles 26-28.

Choosing Accounts

David and I decided to read one page or paragraph of “Sound Mind Investing” together each day. We are in the chapter about an emergency fund. Austin Pryor agreed with Dave Ramsey – a money market account is the best choice. I googled “2019 Money Market Accounts.”

We had to move our savings a few months ago. The insurance company we were using closed its online savings account division.

We prayed James 1:5, “God give us wisdom,” and Proverbs 25:45, “Show us, teach us, lead us.” (We read one Proverb each day of the month for years. That’s where Solomon wrote his financial wisdom.)

The account we chose was third on the list! We are not financial wizards but God makes us come out ahead.

1 Chronicles 26:10, “The sons of Hosah the Merarite were Shimei, (He was not the firstborn but his father made him first.)…”

The Message

Pricing Insurance

After David went to work, I spent 3 hours working on insurance. Our credit union is offering group auto insurance. I was on the phone over an hour with their representative.

I printed off their quotes. Then, I contacted a Dave Ramsey rep for new quotes. (I checked them a year ago.)

I’m just checking my defense. I want to guard against any catastrophe.

1 Chronicles 26:16, “The guards stood shoulder to shoulder…”

The Message

Financial Peace University

We are enjoying the class immensely. We recouped the fee in the first month!

After the first week, I considered paying the fee for each of our children to take the class. But I know they will only take it seriously if they pay the price. I trust God will send others to teach them.

1 Chronicles 27:43, “Jonathan, David’s uncle, a wise and literate counselor, and Jehiel son of Hacmoni, were responsible for rearing the king’s sons.”

“Why don’t I just bring the cooked crusts and have everyone build their own pie?”

(Only my daughter…)

* * * * * * *

Thanksgiving is a family day. God cares about families. Children and grandchildren are our rewards.

Korah rebelled against God, (see Numbers 16). He and his family died – but not all of them. God spared at least one.

Numbers 26:9-11, “The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. [10] (These were the same Dathan and Abiram, community leaders from Korah’s gang, who rebelled against Moses and Aaron in the Korah Rebellion against God. The Earth opened its jaws and swallowed them along with Korah’s gang who died when the fire ate them up, all 250 of them. After all these years, they’re still a warning sign. [11] But the line of Korah did not die out.)” The Message

“I can’t believe you answered my question before I finished the sentence.”

“Why not, I’ve known you for 10 years.”

I spent the morning with Luke’s wife, Bethany, when this conversation took place. We visited while working on 2 different projects in my office. She wanted to know when we would celebrate Thanksgiving.

Numbers 9:3, “Celebrate it on schedule…” The Message

She left to get groceries before lunch. I stripped the bedding to wash it. I was ready to put the pillowcases back on when she called.

“I just wanted you to know, I had a car accident and I’m in the Emergency Room.”

“Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“I’m on my way.”

I jumped into the truck – which was a feat in itself because I was wearing my new maxi coat. I tried not to speed as I drove the mile to the hospital.

She was in x-ray when I arrived. I sat down and got comfortable – prepared to wait as long as needed. Luke walked in a minute later. He stayed behind to take care of the car.

Numbers 9:22, “It made no difference whether the Cloud hovered over The Dwelling for two days or a month or a year, as long as the Cloud was there, they were there.” The Message

God graciously protected Bethany. The car spun but did not roll. She missed the utility pole. She slammed into the console, breaking it, without breaking a rib. Her head hit the steering wheel but there was no brain trauma or concussion. She didn’t break any bones. Olivia was still in school and no other cars were involved.

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Last Monday, I was mad at David. I wanted to rearrange the basement for Thanksgiving and he wouldn’t even look at the plans.

I ranted to God. “I know there are three in this marriage. I won’t give up, but I’m getting nowhere with David. You be my husband.”

“Good,” God replied, “go put away David’s clothes.”

(Years ago, our children were not putting their clothes away. David had me pile his clean clothes next to theirs. After work, he put them away. He led by example. He was showing them that I was not the maid.)

I put his clothes away.

God worked on David’s heart and you know the rest of the story. It’s amazing the difference a week can make.

Leviticus 13:5, “On the seventh day…examine it again…” The Message

Today, all the furniture is in place. There are pictures on the wall. The ironed tablecloths are on the tables and dressers. The Thanksgiving tablescape and candles are ready. The table is set and waiting under dust covers.

Through the week, I learned a new approach to dealing with problems in a relationship:

Exclude them from the conversation. The Israelites excluded one from the congregation, (see Leviticus 7:21). I excluded him from the conversation. I stopped talking to David about the problem and talked about it with God.

I choose my attitude. On the hardest day, I studied Proverbs 17:22. It talked about a cheerful heart. The cross-reference verses talked about a peaceful heart, (Proverbs 14:30), and a happy heart, (Proverbs 15:13). I took a break from the basement and finished a Christmas project. That made my heart happy.

Let God pick the time for the conversation. I wanted David to accept my reasons for rearranging, (see Leviticus 10:20). He didn’t on Monday but did on Thursday. I had to let God choose the time for the conversation.

Wait until evening, (see Leviticus 11:24). Give yourselves a day to cool off and ponder the conversation. Look at the issue from their perspective.

It might take a week, (see Leviticus 13:5). We are an instant society. We want problems solved now. We want everyone to agree with us. But God is not dealing with just the problem. He is dealing with hearts. Each heart has to come into submission to God before the problem resolves.

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Derek’s favorite childhood book was “I Love You Forever.” It tells how a mother rocks her son to sleep every night. First as a baby, then a toddler, then a boy, then a teen. Her boy grows up and moves into a house across town. His mother puts a ladder on top of her station wagon and drives to it. She climbs into his window, picks him up, and rocks him, back and forth…

Saturday night, I dreamt about that book. Derek and Rachel bought a 2 story house. I woke up from my dream thinking, “I need a longer ladder.”

Then I shook myself. I waited almost 26 years for him to move out. I’m done rocking him! I guess adjusting to an empty nest may take longer than I thought.

Nehemiah 4:2, “…Do they think they can get everything back to normal overnight? …” The Message

Marriage is like a wall. You set this boundary around yourself and your spouse. What many do not realize is you work on it. Every. Day.

Nehemiah 4:6, “We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work.” The Message

In the beginning, we had a heart for the work. It’s “You and Me Against the World.” But as the years go by, it is easy to neglect it.

Your wall will not look like your parent’s wall. It will not look like your friend’s wall. God designed your wall. It will protect your marriage while you fulfill His purpose for you as a couple.

Saturday night, before we went to sleep, David and I prayed. “We are empty nesters now. We were youth leaders when we were young. You called us to serve on worship teams during our entire marriage. Now that we have freedom, show us where we are to serve together.”

Nehemiah 4:9, “We countered with prayer to our God and set a round-the-clock guard against them.” The Message

In the wedding, Pastor Josh Cody instructed Derek and Rachel to fight. Fight for their marriage. Fight for each other. Keep God first and He will fight for you.

Nehemiah 4:13-14, “So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places… (14) …’Don’t be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for…your wives and your homes.’ ” The Message

Guard the vulnerable places. Don’t be afraid. Look to our great and awesome God. Fight for your wife and your home.

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It’s wedding week. The song, “Goin’ to the Chapel” is running through my mind.

Psalms 122:1, “When they said, ‘Let’s go to the house of God,’ my heart leaped for joy.” The Message

When the exiles returned to Jerusalem, they rebuilt the Temple. Their joy was boundless as they were able to worship in Jerusalem again. They sang songs on their way to The Temple.

“Hezekiah is known for preparing Jerusalem for a siege by carving a long tunnel from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam. Rabbis said the pool’s water was the purest on the planet because Mount Zion is its source.

Every year during the Feast of Tabernacles, water was taken from the Pool of Siloam in golden pitchers and carried up to the Temple in a huge procession. People sang the Song of Ascents, silver trumpets were blown on the Temple steps, and the entire city was lit up with torches. It was called the most joyous time in Jerusalem when the water was poured out on the altar as an offering to the Most Holy God.”

Psalms 122:4, “The city to which the tribes ascend, all God’s tribes go up to worship, to give thanks to the name of God – this is what it means to be Israel.” The Message

A wedding is similar to the ascent on the Feast of Tabernacles. Everyone is in their best clothes. The place is lit up and filled with music. The bride walks up the aisle to the altar. Everyone wishes happiness for the couple.

Christ is the key to a successful marriage. He loved us so much that He gave everything – including His life. Seeing His sacrifice, we can’t help but love Him, respect Him, and submit to Him.

King Xerxes tried to create respect for each husband by enacting a law. It didn’t work.

Esther 1:22, “…’Every man is master of his own house; whatever he says, goes.’ ” The Message

Jesus showed us how to do it. The more love you give to your wife, the more respect you gain. The more respect a woman gives to her husband, the more love she receives, (see Ephesians 5:22-23).

If your wife doesn’t respond to what you say, check your motives. Will your decision benefit the family or just yourself?

A master is responsible for nurturing everyone in his household:

Are they getting enough sleep?

Are they getting enough food?

Do they have time with you that is free of distractions?

Do they have time alone to develop their God-given gifts?

Do you spend one-on-one time with each of your children?

Do you regularly share a physical love with your wife?

Do your hobbies take up most of your free time?

If no one is listening to you, maybe it’s because you are not listening to them.

My sisters and I sometimes joked that God sent us the wrong daughters. One niece was studious, like me; and another niece is good with money, like me. (My third niece is artistic and definitely her mother’s daughter!)

My daughter did not keep her room clutter free and likes to play pool; both traits of my sisters. I like every room perfectly clutter free and never did take an interest in pool. When my daughter was growing up, I said it was like living with my sister again. I’m sure my nieces heard the same statement.

The relationship of aunt is a special one. My sisters were the best aunts. I didn’t do as well. In my defense, my children were born first, 21 months apart, and when my nieces were 2 and 4 I had my third baby. I had my hands full.

* * * * * * *

Deborah was the first woman listed as a nurse, not a handmaid. She would have been a second mother to Esau and Jacob and would have been where they turned when they were sick or hurt. She would have been closer than an aunt. No wonder there was great grief at her death.

Genesis 35:8, “But Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried beneath Bethel under an oak. It was called Allon Bakuth.” Modern English Version

* * * * * * *

“…she would have been of invaluable service to his young family. Old nurses, like her, were not only honored, but loved as mothers; and, accordingly, her death was the occasion of so great lamentation. She was buried under the oak – hence called “the terebinth of tears” (1 Kings 13:14).” Critical and Explanatory Commentary, Vol. I

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